Great news! Through the generosity of numerous corporations and foundations, plus special federal government appropriations, WGU maintains a robust program of scholarships made available to qualified students.

Scholarships are one of the many ways in which WGU removes obstacles from your path
to achieving your education goals and improving your career opportunities. It’s
part of our investment in the future of our students.

Current Scholarship Offerings (for new students)

The following scholarships are available for new WGU students, depending upon specific eligibility requirements for the particular scholarship. Students are eligible to apply for these scholarships during the enrollment process and up to 60 days after starting a degree program.

In addition to the scholarships on this page there are a limited number of scholarships, not described on this page, available only to current students.

(To learn more about or to apply for a specific scholarship, click on the specific scholarship name below.)

WGU General Scholarships

Scholarship Name

Valued up to

WGU Loves Nurses Scholarship
To celebrate Nurses Week, WGU will award scholarships to motivated nurses who are ready to take on the increasing challenges of today’s hospitals.

WGU Excellence in Education Scholarship For current teachers to improve their skill set in the classroom or move into administration, or to assist aspiring teachers in obtaining the required credentials for a rewarding career as an educator.

WGU Partner Scholarships

WGU AmeriCorps Scholarship WGU has partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service to help AmeriCorps alumni finish a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

$2,000

WGU Leaders in Nonprofit Scholarship Western Governors University has partnered with Free For Charity to offer scholarships for professionals working in the nonprofit sector seeking a master's or undergraduate degree.

$2,000

WGU NACCTEP Scholarship Western Governors University has partnered with National Association of Community Colleges with Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP) to offer scholarships for graduates and staff of NACCTEP-affiliated community colleges to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree and obtain teacher licensure.

$2,000

WGU StraighterLine Scholarship For motivated students who have completed at least four StraighterLine courses who wish to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree.

$2,000

WGU Institutional Partner Fund For employees of WGU’s partner institutions who wish to advance their education in the business, education, information technology, or healthcare fields.

WGU Healthcare Partners Fund For employees of WGU’s partner hospitals and healthcare organizations who wish to advance their education to become educators, managers, and leaders in vital healthcare fields.

$2,500

Scholarships for Military Personnel, Veterans, and Spouses

WGU offers several scholarships for active-duty military personnel, military veterans, and their spouses. These awards may be used in addition to VA benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill® and Military Tuition Assistance.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Scholarship Name

Valued up to

WGU Military Appreciation Scholarship WGU has partnered with the National Military Family Association to offer active duty, veteran military personnel, and their spouses an opportunity to advance their education.

$2,000

Scholarships from External Sources

Current and incoming WGU students are also occasionally eligible to apply for third-party scholarships offered by corporations and foundations. As WGU becomes aware of these opportunities, they will be listed here.

Select a question from the left, see the answer to the right.

How do you select scholarship winners?

It depends upon the scholarship. In general, we award scholarships based on the
following factors:

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements

Answers you give on the scholarship application

An interview with a scholarship counselor

Some scholarships are also based upon evaluations of prior college transcripts and
other tests. We encourage you to apply.

When will I find out if I’m selected?

WGU evaluates scholarship applications on a continual basis because we start new students in their programs every month. Often we are able to make an award decision within two to four weeks of receiving your application. In most cases, you will also need to have applied for admission and been accepted to the university. An
Enrollment Counselor can help explain the process.

Do I get the scholarship all at once?

No. Scholarship awards are divided into a set amount per term. This amount is credited against your tuition due for each term. The details are explained in the description for each scholarship.

Can I also apply for financial aid?

Yes. You probably should apply for federal financial aid, too. Scholarship awards will only cover a portion of your school expenses, and financial aid can help pay for the rest. You can apply for financial aid while you are waiting for a decision about your scholarship application. It will not hurt your chances to win a scholarship. Click here to learn more about or apply
for financial aid.